Garment-Integrated Biosignal Monitoring via PPG and Accelerometer Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biosignal monitoring devices for respiration parameters are often motion-limiting, non-portable, and difficult to integrate into daily life, limiting their effectiveness in monitoring physiological and mental states outside of clinical settings.
Innovation Solution
A garment-integrable system that includes a housing with an attachment module and an electronics module comprising communication, respiration sensing, and proximity sensing modules, allowing for the monitoring of respiration parameters in a non-invasive and portable manner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional respiration monitoring devices are used in clinical settings, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to motion-limiting constraints and lack of portability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical contact-based respiration monitoring with optical detection using photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors. The PPG sensor detects blood volume changes in the skin caused by respiration, eliminating the need for mechanical contact or movement constraints while maintaining measurement accuracy. This substitution enables portable, wearable monitoring that can be integrated into daily life.
Solution Approach 2:
The system integrates multiple sensing capabilities (PPG for cardiovascular and respiration monitoring, accelerometry for motion detection) into a single wearable device. This multi-functional approach allows the device to monitor various physiological parameters simultaneously, improving ease of operation by providing comprehensive health monitoring through one unified system rather than requiring separate specialized devices.
2Reliability
If traditional respiration monitoring devices are used, then reliability is improved through clinical-grade monitoring, but device complexity increases making them difficult to use outside clinical settings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the core respiration monitoring function from complex clinical equipment and implements it using a simplified PPG-based optical sensing system. By isolating and implementing only the essential measurement principle (detecting blood volume changes related to respiration), the system achieves reliable respiration monitoring without requiring the complex mechanical and electronic systems of traditional clinical devices, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the measurement parameter from mechanical displacement or airflow (used in traditional devices) to optical absorption changes detected by PPG sensors. This parameter change enables the use of lightweight, portable electronic components rather than bulky mechanical systems, reducing device complexity while maintaining monitoring reliability through well-established optical sensing technology.
3Ease of operation
If portable respiration monitoring is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to motion artifacts and environmental interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by combining PPG sensor data with accelerometer data to distinguish between motion artifacts and actual respiration signals. The accelerometer detects body movement, and this information is used to filter or compensate for motion-induced variations in the PPG signal, thereby maintaining measurement precision while enabling portable, motion-tolerant monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring both physiological signals (PPG) and motion signals (accelerometer), then using the motion information to adjust or correct the respiration measurements in real-time. This feedback mechanism allows the device to maintain accurate respiration parameter detection even during physical activity, resolving the trade-off between portability and measurement precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enables continuous, real-time monitoring of respiration parameters, facilitating the detection of physiological and mental states, and aiding in the diagnosis of medical conditions related to pulmonary health, while being comfortable and easy to use.
Implementation Method 1
a first sensor, wherein the first sensor is an optical sensor that outputs a first signal, wherein the first signal is associated with one or more cardiovascular parameters
Implementation Method 2
a second sensor, wherein the second sensor is a capacitive sensor that outputs a second signal, wherein the second signal is associated with one or more respiration parameters
Data Source
AI summary
A system for monitoring biosignals of a user, including an attachment module configured to secure the system at an inner surface of a garment of the user; a flexible layer coupled to the attachment module, wherein the flexible layer and the attachment module cooperatively define a housing lumen; an electronics subsystem arranged within the housing lumen, the electronics subsystem including a first sensor, wherein the first sensor outputs a first signal; a respiratory sensor, wherein the respiratory sensor outputs a respiration signal, and a processing module that receives the first signal, the respiration signal, and the proximity signal, and generates a processed biometric output based on the first signal and the respiration signals.